University acknowledges spike in bias incident reports, urges students to show respect

One report described an incident escalating to a physical attack

Over the past week, the University of Wisconsin has received 16 bias incident reports.

In comparison, there were 66 incidents reported in the entire first half of 2016.

A UW statement said many communities and college campuses have reported an increase in incidents of threatening behavior towards individuals based on race, ethnicity, national origin and political affiliation — and UW is not an exception.